Alissa JenkinsCommunity Coordinator Biography Alissa joined TechTown in June 2017 as Community Coordinator. In this position, she facilitates event and meeting space reservations while providing daily customer care to TechTown’s many visitors and the Junction440 coworking community. Alissa previously served as an A/V Technician and Executive Assistant for Chicago-based event design company Event Creative. Upon…

Ashleigh DandridgeMarketing Coordinator Biography Ashleigh has worked with numerous Detroit-based organizations as a public relations consultant, focusing on media relations and brand awareness. Before joining TechTown, she worked as the Digital Media Manager for the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance at Wayne State University. A Wayne State alum, Ashleigh is also a graduate…

Bridget Barnes EspinosaSWOT City Portfolio Manager Biography Bridget Espinosa is TechTown’s SWOT City bilingual (English-Spanish) Portfolio Manager supporting small business development in Southwest Detroit. She is passionate about providing equal access to resources for immigrant business owners. She is a former educator who has provided corporate cross-cultural training for almost 20 years. Bridget is an…

Charlotte ComstockExecutive Assistant Biography Charlotte ensures the smooth functioning of the TechTown administrative office and serves as the liaison to the TechTown Board. She previously worked as Executive Assistant to the President/CEO of the Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute and as Administrative Assistant for Behavioral Therapy. She loves gardening (and anything home) and caring for her pug…

Francis GlorieEntrepreneur-in-Residence Biography In more than 25 years of executive leadership, Francis has participated in multiple technology startups, four large-scale turnarounds and three large financial exits and post-merger restructurings. Throughout, he gained a reputation as a skilled strategist, negotiator and business developer, driving partnerships and large transactions. Francis recently served as president and CEO of…

Gerry RostonEntrepreneur-in-Residence Biography Gerry’s experience ranges from the development of microscopic biological sensors to the redesign of diesel-electric locomotives. He serves as the CEO of Civionics, a University of Michigan startup that delivers intelligent, wireless sensor systems to manufacturers to help them minimize unplanned downtime. He has previously served in an executive capacity for a…

Heather LevineSWOT City Portfolio Manager Biography Heather is an attorney who previously worked at Taubman, where she oversaw leasing processes, including developing and maintaining relationships with small business owners, Fortune 500 companies and luxury European retailers. Heather is also a co-owner of two small businesses: Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails in Detroit and The Oakland Art…

James MerriwetherBuilding Safety Officer Biography James joined TechTown in 2010 as a security contractor. As Building Safety Officer, he ensures the security of the TechTown building and our tenants, coworkers, staff and visitors. James also oversees fire and safety procedures and supports facilities and customer service functions. Prior to joining TechTown, James served as Security…

Kim Colón Controller Biography Kim has more than 15 years as an accounting professional with most of these years in the nonprofit industry. She oversees all financial activity at TechTown including grants, coworking space and rental activities. Prior to joining TechTown, Kim worked for several Detroit nonprofits specializing in the human service and culture enrichment…

Kristin PalmManaging Director, Communications Biography Kristin has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist, educator, fundraiser and communications professional, with a focus on community development and the arts. She leads communications, marketing and branding efforts for TechTown and the WSU Office of Economic Development and also oversees TechTown’s events and coworking programs. Prior to…

Marcus HarrisSWOT City Portfolio Manager Biography Prior to joining TechTown, Marcus served as Operations Director at ARISE Detroit! Marcus also serves as an adjunct instructor in the Wayne County Community College District and an entrepreneur trainer for ProsperUS Detroit, where he trains and coaches low-income, minority entrepreneurs in business plan development and the entrepreneurship process.…

Marlin WilliamsDiversity and Inclusion Entrepreneur-in-Residence Biography Marlin has more than 20 years’ experience as a Global Diversity and Inclusion Officer for two Fortune 500 organizations. She has also served as Deputy Chief Information Officer for the City of Detroit, and she led collaboration across ten agencies to support the technology and infrastructure for Super Bowl…

Michelle DiMercurioEvents and Marketing Manager Biography Michelle works across TechTown teams to ensure all events are executed with keen attention to detail. She got her start in event planning by helping friends plan their weddings and then planned events as a volunteer for several Detroit nonprofit organizations, including Detroit Dog Park, where she is on…

Ned StaeblerPresident and CEO Biography Ned serves concurrently as TechTown’s President and CEO and Vice President for Economic Development at Wayne State University. He previously served as the Vice President for Entrepreneurial and Capital Services at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. In this role, he was responsible for the oversight of the Michigan Strategic Fund…

Paul RiserManaging Director, Technology-Based Entrepreneurship Biography Since joining TechTown in 2014, Paul has worked with a wide range of entrepreneurs focused on starting and expanding tech-focused business in areas such as alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, mobile/web-based apps and med-tech companies. Prior to joining TechTown, Paul worked at Sun Microsystems and served as the Chief Technology…

Regina Ann CampbellManaging Director, Place-Based Entrepreneurship Biography Since joining TechTown in 2013, Regina has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and assisted with the launch of multiple Detroit startups. Before joining TechTown, Regina was the Senior Project Manager of Economic Development at the Vanguard Community Development Corporation. Regina was a Wayne State University Detroit Revitalization Fellow…

Sarah DonnellyRetail Services Director Biography Sarah Donnelly is the Retail Services Director at TechTown Detroit, where she leads the Retail Boot Camp program and other retail incubation initiatives. With a tenure of leading flagship retail environments for lifestyle brands in both New York and Detroit, an inspiring customer experience is at the forefront of every…

Warren Galloway, Jr.SWOT City Portfolio Manager Biography Warren has worked for some of the largest national and regional financial institutions, including E*TRADE Bank, Charter One Bank, Standard Federal Bank and NBD Bank, holding positions in Regulatory Affairs, Compliance, Community Reinvestment, Community Development, Personal and Mortgage Lending, Investments, Small Business Lending, and Retail Branch Operations. He…

Wendy WilsonBuilding Manager Biography Wendy joined TechTown as a volunteer in 2009 and joined the staff later that year as Receptionist. She knows the building inside and out and, as Building Manager, oversees all aspects of building operations. She enjoys playing softball and ballroom dancing.